A chapter full of fluff and adventure!

Enjoy!

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Soon, November starts to roll into December and the weather started to get colder, even though it's not as cold as it would have been in Britain.

Sitting in his study, Marvolo kept the thick portfolio on the table, glancing at the fireplace thoughtfully. Lord Sharptooth did a good job and sent him folders on the best child psychologists and Mind Healers, both Magical and some of the non-Magical - squib, according to the folder. He has narrowed the list down to three of them. But he needs to contact them before he decides on which of them is best for his son.

":Yes, my little one, you're doing great.:"

Marvolo blinked as his attention went back to the medium-sized box in front of the fireplace, where a green-scaled snake is rubbing its head against the branch that he conjured until it managed to create a tear on its epidermis near the nose area. As soon as sufficient tear appeared, it started to slowly drag and wriggle its whole body through the hard branches. Marvolo watched, fascinated as the green mamba slowly, but surely shredded its whole skin and slowly slithers out of the old epidermis. No matter how many times he has seen Nagini does it, or did it himself, it never gets old.

Besides, it's his son's first time molting. So obviously, it's more special.

":You did it!:" The pride in Nagini's voice was obvious. Marvolo smiled, watching Hadrianus slithering out from the box, looking around with his clear eyes.

":I can see clearly now!:" He exclaimed, his tongue flickering as he tasted the air, turning to look at his mum.

":Yes, your eyes shredded the outer skin as well,:" Marvolo commented, motioning him to come over. Hadrianus shifted back to his human form, looking down at his hands and then rubbed it together, grinning, before sprinting towards his father.

":Father look,:" He said, rubbing his chubby cheek on the back of his palm, ":I am so soft!:"

Marvolo laughs amused, followed by Nagini who chuckled as well, ":You will feel so for a while, you just regrow your whole skin.:" He said, levitating the box and saving it in one of the shelves in his study. If the timing is right, he would need the box for his own shredding which he has scheduled to happen before Yule, so no need to banish it.

Speaking of which, he needs to start adjusting Hadrianus's shredding as well. He can't have him molting in Hogwarts, no. It needs to be done during his Winter and Summer holidays. He will brew the potion himself that will postpone the time by three weeks, that will be enough.

Marvolo moved his hand, letting his son climb on his lap. He had missed out on his son's childhood and is determined to milk most of the time before Hadrianus is hit with teenage rebellion and decides he is too old to climb on his father's lap and be pampered by him - Marvolo thinks as he runs his hand on his son's soft hair fondly.

Nagini watched the scene unfold with a soft look, before deciding she deserves to join in the cuddling as well. So she slithers towards them and wraps the father and son in her coils, before keeping her head on their lap. Marvolo shifted a little to get more comfortable and Hadrianus giggled, scratching her mum's scales earning pleased hiss.

Marvolo glanced at his lapful of Naga and Maledictus and decided to use the time to practice something new. ":Hadrianus, do you want to practice?:"

Hadrianus widened his eyes and nodded eagerly, before summoning a ball of light using his pure Magic on his hand. the turquoise color emitting small ball bounced on his hand like some rubber ball. His father has been teaching him how to use his Magic through wishing very hard and control it.

":Good, now follow this,:" He said, summoning his own ball of light before he opened his palm. The ball then slightly shimmered, then started to float on its own as he removed his hand.

Hadrianus watched, mesmerized.

":The key is, as I told you before:" He explained, ":Your focus, and intent. You just simply wish it to happen, portraying how you want it to float clearly and let your Magic follow your command. Do it.:"

Hadrianus nodded and closed his eyes, wishing Very Hard that it will hover above his palm. Thankfully, since he had started to meditate, he has found it easier to make his Magic obey his wishes. On the downside, he gets tired easily. But father has assured him that with regular practice, his core will soon start producing enough Magic so he won't tire even after practicing for hours.

":Open your eyes, son. And see it yourself.:" Marvolo advises, his hands carting through his hair gently. Hadrianus opened his eyes, smiling widely when he saw the ball is hovering exactly the way he has pictured it to happen. He willed it to float towards his father's hand and watched with delight as it did.

":You did a very good job, my child.:" Marvolo praised. Hadrianus smiled so wide that his face hurt.

______________________

A couple of days later, Marvolo was sitting at the dinner table, waiting for his son and Barty to come and join him for dinner while going through some of the reports Lucius has brought about Hogwarts Board of Governors and their weaknesses, so he can plan on what changes he has to make and how.

He knows that his son is playing outside in the garden under Barty's eagle eyes, probably riding the newly improved bike that Marvolo created for him if Nagini's angry muttering about how everyone is determined to kill her hatchling before his tenth birthday is anything to go by. Well, it is not his fault that his son is like a tiny ball of energy that likes to bounce around and keep distracting him from his work. He needed to find something enjoyable for him so he can let out the pent-up energy.

When the two came in, it didn't take more than a glance for Marvolo to notice the frowned look on Hadrianus and Barty's neutral face, even though his eyes are lit with sadistic glee. Marvolo was immediately alert. A gleeful Barty without an apparent victim can not be good news. Nagini following them in and went towards the seat where she usually perches during their meals, muttering how she is going to bite him and make the 'Dungeons Bat' heal him and bite him again if the overzealous imbecile makes her son ride that muggle monstrosity again. Marvolo rolled his eyes. He is pretty sure it was Hadrianus who insisted to ride the bicycle.

"Good evening, father/My Lord." They chimed together as they took their sits.

Marvolo nodded, clapping. With distinct pop of House Elf magic, the entire table in front of them becomes full of foods. Hadrianus frowned when he noticed some unknown dishes among them.

"Father?"

"While Hawaiian food is good as well," Marvolo started to explain, gesturing at those dishes Hadrianus looking at, "Legally you're supposed to have lived in German until now, so you'll need to start learning about German culture as well. They are examples of some traditional German food." He said, pointing at the stew.

Barty took a small bowl and filled it with the creamy stew that his Lord explained as eintopf - a traditional German stew before placing it next to Hadrianus's plate as he scoops a cup of poi on a small bowl and took a couple of rolls. Hadrianus grinned at Barty for pulling the bowl of poke nearer and started to make grabby hands towards it.

"Finish the stew first." He said to his son before turning at Barty, "What happened?" At Barty's innocent look. Marvolo glared sternly, "Don't."

The innocent look dropped. Barty grinned mischievously, as he served himself with poke and Lomi salmon, "I was telling Little Prince about the Wiggle - er, Wizarding war, between us and so-called light side. About their hypocrisy and prejudices against Wizarding old ways."

Marvolo hummed, ignoring his slip-up, watching Hadrianus make a delighted sound on finding turkey sausage in the stew and eating it happily. He doubts that this is what happened, but Barty is not lying, that he can tell. Probably he explained the war in a more vicious way than needed.

"And pray tell, what you've concluded from his tale, Hadrianus?" Marvolo sipped his goblet, raising an eyebrow as he watched Hadrianus finished his stew in record time, "Take your time and chew first, you foolish imp."

Hadrianus grinned as he scooped a fork full of poi, chewing and gulped down, then said, "I've concluded that all Muggle and Wiggle adults, except you," He pointed his fork at him solemnly, "are stupid." He said, crossing his arms on his chest and nodded with every ounce of pride an eighth years old can master.

Marvolo froze his fork full of branched broccoli midway to his mouth, blinking at his son disbelievingly. Did he say just...? The menace was now eating a piece of rouladen while looking very smug for coming to such an important decision on his own. And Nagini, who burst out laughing hearing her son. It was a very unusual sight that the giant viper making a weird hissing sound as she laughs herself to almost getting sick, especially for someone who doesn't understand snake language. But Barty didn't even twitch, already knowing that his master's familiar won't harm him, blissfully oblivious to the death threats she was sprouting at him ten minutes ago.

Instead, he nodded solemnly as he served himself chicken long rice after finishing his stew, "Right you are, kiddo."

This time, Marvolo gapes at the Barty, until he noticed the mischievous glee in his eyes as he cut the piece of chicken and eats it, grinning madly. Marvolo sighed and decided to ignore him for sake of his own newfound sanity.

"Do you have any questions regarding it?" He asked. He doubts Barty's version of war is good enough for his son to fully understand what they stand for.

"Um..." Hadrianus puzzled over the question for a while, before nodding, "I have one."

Marvolo frowned, "It better be an important one." He warned in his no-nonsense voice, noticing the too familiar mischief glint in his eyes. That can't be good.

"It is." He said so earnestly that if he hadn't noticed the impish glint that came and gone within second and the hint of eagerness, amusement, and glee coming from their Horcrux link, he would have believed him.

"Do tell." He said, resigned as he took a sip of wine. He has a feeling he might need something stronger.

"Why you didn't have a nose?"

Marvolo chokes on his wine while Barty sputtered and coughed on his rice. And Nagini, who was laughing so hard that she almost fell from the chair. Marvolo sighed, clearing his own airway, and picked up his wand and pointed at Barty, focusing on dislodging the food from the wrong pipe. Barty gasped as soon as the food vanished from his trachea.

Barty groaned, "Merlin, Kiddo! You can't just ask people why they don't have a nose!" he said, shooting Marvolo a sheepish look while murmuring thanks.

Marvolo sighed and rubbed his face, glowering at the Maledictus still laughing. He was right, he definitely needs something stronger. Well, at least he knows exactly what Barty told him.

Hadrianus frowned at his Godfather, then at his laughing mum, "I can't?"

Deep breaths, Marvolo.

"No, you can't," Barty informed him while Nagini pants, still chuckling occasionally.

"Is it something like why I shouldn't ask a blind person why they're blind?" Hadrianus asked, which apparently set Nagini off on another fit of laughter.

"Something like that."

More deep breaths, Marvolo. You can't Crucio the imbecile. Neither the Maledictus.

"Oh." Hadrianus looked thoughtful for a moment, before glancing at his father with wide guilty eyes, "I am sorry, father. And I am happy you have a nose now."

More deep breaths.

":Merlin, I can't...:" Nagini wheezed.

":Mum?:" Hadrianus asked tentatively, wondering why she's laughing herself to the verge of getting sick.

Marvolo sighed and clapped his hands, welcoming the instant distraction when the dessert appeared. "You can have one slice," He said, watching as the child lit up and served himself a slice of hula pie, immensely enjoying the scrumptious taste.

"Barty," He addressed the wizard as soon as they finished their dinner, "I and Hadrianus will not be around for some time. Make yourself useful," He said, levitating some parchment towards him who picked them up eagerly.

"Yes My Lord," He bowed and bounded out from the dining hall as Marvolo dismissed him. Marvolo stood, brushing off imaginary wrinkles from his robes. He called Bailey and ordered her to fetch his son's traveling cloaks and shoes.

"Do you have your Wand with you?" He asked his son.

"Yes, father." He touched the Wand holster on his right thigh. His father has brought him the Wand couple of days after the blood cleansing ritual, along with a charmed thigh holster. He is never parted from it except for shower and napping, even though he hadn't used it yet. Father insisted on practicing Magic wandlessly until he is at least ten, and the Wand is for an extra precaution.

"Good. Come on, little Mamba."

Hadrianus leaped on his fluffy sock-covered legs, bouncing after his father's tall figure as they went towards their fireplace with Floo Connection. He took the cloak and shoe from Bailey's hand and immediately bent on his knees to put on his shoes, excitement shining in his eyes. "Are we going for a trip, father?"

"Indeed." He absentmindedly adjusted the robes on his son, "It will be a little cold." He warned as he shrugged on his cloak. Britain is probably raging under snowstorms.

Hadrianus nodded obediently and stood still, letting his father cast a warming spell on him. After casting and patting inside of his son's traveling cloak to make sure the charm is enough for the young Naga, Marvolo holds his hand out.

"Mum not coming?" Hadrianus asked, glancing towards Nagini watching them leave as he clasped his hand on his father's.

"Not this time," Marvolo said, close his large fist around his tiny hand. "He will be fine," Marvolo rolled his eyes at the pouting Maledictus before they stepped inside the Floo with a pinch of Floo powder which Marvolo threw while stating clearly, "Slytherin Manor, Northern Ireland."

They stepped out from the Floo, after catching a flailing and coughing Hadrianus, snickering; to which he pouted with bottom lips thrusting out, "Meanie."

Marvolo smirked, "The secret is to hold your breath and stand with your legs apart, ready to catch your footing the moment you land."

Hadrianus looked at him, wide eyes, "Blast, why Barty never told me that when I asked?"

"He probably wanted to laugh at you when you fall."

Hadrianus groaned, which was promptly followed by some tirades on how unfair is this and he will take revenge on him for that. Marvolo smirked and turned to his feet, apparating away with his son.

As nausea subsided with the usual exercise of deep breaths, Hadrianus could now smell salt and hear rushing waves before he even opens his eyes; a light, chilly breeze ruffled his hair as he looked out at sea. He was standing upon a high outcrop of dark rock, water foaming and churning below him. He glanced over his shoulder. A towering cliff stood behind them, a sheer drop, black and faceless.

A few large chunks of rock, such as the one upon which Hadrianus and his father were standing, looked as though they had broken away from the cliff face at some point in the past. It was a bleak, harsh view, the sea and the rock unrelieved by any tree or sweep of grass or sand.

"What do you think?" asked his father.

A grin broke into his young face as he looked at the sea waves coming thrashing on the big rock they're standing, "Brilliant." He took a deep breath, enjoying the salty smells of the sea and fresh air and the early morning Sun. This is the first time he's seeing a sea.

"Are we going to camp here, father?" He asked his eyes wide and sparkling with excitement and wonder at the new adventure with his father.

His father was looking towards the cliff while casting few spells that Hadrianus recognized as a detection spell to know if there's anyone nearby. At his question, he smiled and looked down at him, "Not quite, little Mamba. It's not safe, we're here for only a little trip."

"Oh." He said a little dejectedly, but brushed it off knowing it's not safe for him, and focused on enjoying the view for now. His father catch on to his little moment of sadness and smiled knowingly.

"Don't worry, if you behave and be a good boy, we can of course visit few places with an even better view and safer, but not now, little one. I have something important at the moment that needs my immediate attention."

At that, Hadrianus visibly brighten up even more and started to nod vigorously, excited. Marvolo chuckled.

"Good, now shift into half serpentine form."

Greenlight sparkled and shimmered around him as he shifted to his Naga form, his tail coiling up around him and he shivered at the sudden coldness, teeth scattering, and wrapped his hands around himself trying to hold on to the warmth inside his traveling cloak. But his father was ready for this, and he started to cast warming spells on and around his length in webs and let it wrap around him. His shivering stopped as the warmth surrounds him as if standing near a blazing fire and he relaxed.

"Thank you, father."

Marvolo nodded, tucking his Wand in his holster, and approached him. He bent down a little and grabbed onto his son's sides, making Hadrianus widen his eyes, letting out a soft giggle, and squirmed, feeling ticklish. "We will need to fly the rest of the path, climb on my back and wrap your tail around my waist." He said amused, changing his mind and turned, as he let the child climb on his back.

Hadrianus rose on his tail to come near his father's height and climbed on his father's back, his hands around his neck, and then proceed to wrap his tail around him, putting his face on his shoulder. Marvolo slid his hand on the slender coils around him, checking and making sure he won't dislodge during the flight and fall in the sea.

"Ready?"

He felt his son nodding, so he took off flying. He felt his son's muscles tensed up a little bit and tighten around him, but that's understandable given his instincts and thankfully they're not too constricting. He focused on the flight, maneuvering, and flying across the sea.

He felt his ever adrenaline junkie son shift a little, raising his face from where he had buried it on his shoulder and yelled into the sky, shaking his fist "Wheeeeee...!!"

Marvolo couldn't help the uplift of the curve of his lips, the child's thrill is contagious. And a little grateful that he has removed his face from near his ear before shouting in joy.

Soon, he reached the cave and landed in the middle. His child let out a happy sigh before dislodging himself from him.

"Will you teach me how to fly, father?"

Marvolo smiled softly at his ever the knowledge seeker son, "When your Magic is matured enough, I will teach you, my precious."

Hadrianus grinned and nodded, excited at the prospect.

"You can turn back now," Marvolo murmured distracted, as he stepped back from the cave wall and pointed his wand at the specific part of a rock. For a moment, an arched outline appeared there, blazing white as though there was a powerful light behind the crack. Marvolo wandlessly conjured a silver knife and pressed it